CBPP's Greenstein, Citing Challenges For Deficit Deal, Says Part D Rebates Can't Pass

CBPP's Greenstein, Citing Challenges For Deficit Deal, Says Part D Rebates Can't Pass- insidehealthpolicy: Bob Greenstein, president of the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, recently told an audience of consumer advocates that they need to urge lawmakers -- Democrats in particular -- to refrain from locking in a top-line figure for federal health care savings until it is clear what can be passed to get there, specifically citing the challenge of securing even the $400 billion in savings last proposed by the president considering that roughly a third of that came from a proposal to extend Medicaid drug rebates to Part D. He warned that locking in a number that includes a proposal opposed by Republicans and some key Democrats could force acceptance of alternative cuts that hit low-income beneficiaries